Modifying web pages to be served by computer server system

ABSTRACT

A method of designing a plurality of elements to be implemented on at least one web page of a website is provided. The method includes providing a first display region on a user interface, the first display region being capable of displaying the plurality of elements; providing a second display region on the user interface, the second display region being capable of displaying the plurality of elements; and displaying a first element in the second display region. The method further includes receiving a first command to modify the first element in the second display region; modifying the first element in response to the first command; and displaying the modified first element in the first display region. The modified first element forms at least part of a first web page of the website that is displayed in the first display region, and the first display region is capable of displaying the first web page in an interactive manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Utilitypatent application Ser. No. 09/589,235, filed Jun. 7, 2000, entitledDEVELOPING ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS EMPLOYING MULTIPLE DISPLAY REGIONS, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to creating and posting webpages to the internet, and more specifically, to a method for moreeasily developing web pages through the use of a graphical userinterface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The World Wide Web (web) has rapidly become an invaluable tool toindividuals and businesses. Not only can an individual or business postinformation on the web; but it can also use the web to transactbusiness. Because the public is acutely aware of the web's business andpersonal benefits, millions of web pages are being added to the web eachyear.

Typically, a web page is defined by a document containing HyperTextMarkup Language (HTML) code. An HTML document suitable for posting onthe internet includes both “content” and “markup.” The content isinformation which describes a web page's text or other information fordisplay or playback on a computer's monitor, speakers, etc. The markupis information which describes the web page's behavioralcharacteristics, such as how the content is displayed and how otherinformation can be accessed via the web page.

In order to provide web-based information and services over theinternet, the web employs “client” computers, “browser” software, and“server” computers. A client computer is a computer used by anindividual to connect to the internet and access web pages. A browser isa software application, located on a client computer, which requests,via the internet, a web page from a server computer. After receiving theweb page, the browser displays the web page on the client computer'smonitor. A server computer is a computer which stores web pageinformation, retrieves that information in response to a browser'srequest, and sends the information, via the internet, to the clientcomputer. Thus, after a web page is created, the page must be “posted”to a particular server computer which “hosts” the page, so that the pagecan be accessed over the internet.

In order to have one's web page hosted by a server, the individual mustcontract with an internet service provider (ISP) associated with theserver. This contract specifies, among other things, the duration of thetime that the ISP will host the page, and how much the individual willpay for that hosting service.

Even though the idea of having one's own web page is appealing, theaverage individual has little or no knowledge about how to create a webpage. Particularly, the average individual does not know how to createan HTML document or to post that document to a server computer. Unlessthat individual is willing to learn how to create and post their own webpage, that individual is faced with few options.

The most commonly used avenue for an individual to get his web page onthe internet is to employ one of numerous companies to provide, for afee, web page development services. After contacting such a company, theindividual would meet with one of the company's web page designers toexplain the individual's concept for his web page. The designer wouldthen create the associated HTML document. After approval by theindividual, the designer may provide the service of posting the web pageto a server computer. The server computer typically is not associatedwith the web page development company. Thus, the individual mustseparately contract with an ISP associated with the server to host theweb page.

Typically, this web page creation and posting process is time consumingand expensive, because it requires the individual and the designer tospend a significant amount of time together working on a particular webpage design. In addition, the process is inefficient because theindividual must work separately with a designer and an ISP. What isneeded, therefore, is a method for enabling an individual toconveniently design a web page without requiring that individual tolearn HTML or to interact extensively with a web page designer. What isfurther needed is a streamlined method for web page/website development.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of designing a plurality ofelements to be implemented on at least one web page of a website. Themethod includes providing a first display region on a user interface,the first display region being capable of displaying the plurality ofelements, and providing a second display region on the user interface,the second display region being capable of displaying the plurality ofelements. The method further includes displaying a first element in thesecond display region, receiving a first command to modify the firstelement in the second display region, modifying the first element inresponse to the first command, and displaying the modified first elementin the first display region. The modified first element forms at leastpart of a first web page of the website that is displayed in the firstdisplay region, and the first display region is capable of displayingthe first web page in an interactive manner.

The present invention additionally relates to a computer-readablestorage medium containing computer executable code for instructing acomputer to perform several steps. The steps include providing a firstdisplay region on a user interface, the first display region beingcapable of displaying the plurality of elements, providing a seconddisplay region on the user interface, the second display region beingcapable of displaying the plurality of elements, and displaying a firstelement in the second display region. The steps further includereceiving a first command to modify the first element in the seconddisplay region, modifying the first element in response to the firstcommand, and displaying the modified first element in the first displayregion. The modified first element forms at least part of a first webpage of the website that is displayed in the first display region, andthe first display region is capable of displaying the first web page inan interactive manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which the method of the present inventioncan be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI),including a website design plate and a STICKY PAD™, which is employed inperforming the method of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates in greater detail the STICKY PAD™ of the GUI of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 illustrates searching for graphic images (“web assets” or “fx”)using the STICKY PAD™;

FIG. 5 illustrates searching for sounds using the STICKY PAD™;

FIG. 6 illustrates searching for colors using the STICKY PAD™;

FIG. 7 illustrates text editing using the STICKY PAD™;

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a running meter on the STICKY PAD™;

FIG. 9 illustrates the creation of a banner ad and a logo using theSTICKY PAD™;

FIG. 10 illustrates the generation of a website outline using thenavigation feature of the website design plate;

FIG. 11 illustrates providing log in information and generating atable/cell at the website design plate;

FIG. 12 illustrates the operation of STAY STICKY™ features, includingsmart agent and MAIL WIZ™ features;

FIG. 13 illustrates the development of website e-commerce mechanisms,including shopping carts and auctions, as well as the setting-up of amerchant account, using the e-commerce feature of the website designplate;

FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of examples and help/statisticsfeatures (including a size meter/meter box) of the website design plate;

FIG. 15 illustrates providing payment (including credit card)information when attempting to save website information assembled on thewebsite design plate;

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for developing a webpage of a website, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for providing text andtables/cells into a web page of a website that is being developed,including text editing, which can be performed as part of the flowchartof FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates flowcharts with method steps for saving websiteinformation and previewing website operation, which can be performed aspart of the flowchart of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for generating awebsite outline using a navigation feature, which can be performed aspart of the flowchart of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performing STAYSTICKY™ features, including smart agent features and MAIL WIZ™ features,which can be performed as part of the flowchart of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performinge-commerce features, which can be performed as part of the flowchart ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 22 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for performingexamples and help/statistics features, which can be performed as part ofthe flowchart of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 23 illustrates a flowchart with method steps for recommencingdevelopment of, and editing, a website that has already been partiallydeveloped using the GUI of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description, and not of limitation.Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, equivalents, and variations as fall within the spirit andbroad scope of the appended claims. The present invention is a methodfor developing a website through the use of a graphical user interface.FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a generalized computer/internetsystem 100 in which the method of the present invention can bepracticed. Specifically, the preferred system 100 includes a servercomputer 140 operably connected to the internet 130 using standardtechniques well-known in the art, for instance the TCP/IP protocol. Themethod preferably can be implemented through the use of the servercomputer 140 using standard computer programming techniques well-knownin the art. As an example, the server computer 140 can preferably beprogrammed using the Java™ programming language distributed by SunMicrocomputer Corp. of Palo Alto, Calif.

Three types of other parties can interact with the server computer 140.First, registered users who have logged in with respect to the servercomputer 140, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11, can fully accessthe server computer at one or more registered users computers 180.Second, third party potential customers who have not yet logged in withrespect to the server computer 140 can obtain limited access to theserver computer at one or more third party potential customers computers110. Finally, third party authors who contribute web assets for use inweb pages created by registered users can access the server computer140, from one or more third party author computers 120, for the limitedpurpose of uploading web assets to the server computer for distribution.Registered users computers 180, third party potential customerscomputers 110 and third party authors computers 120 are home computersor other interface devices (not necessarily complete computers) that arecapable of accessing the server computer 140 through the internet 130using standard web-browsers, well-known in the art.

The server computer 140 preferably has or is coupled to a third partyuser database 160, a web assets database 170, and a programming database190. The third party user database 160 preferably includes a listing ofall third party users registered to access the server computer 140.Specifically, information provided during the log in process byregistered users is included in the third party user database 160. Also,information regarding websites that have been or are being designed byregistered users can be saved (as discussed with reference to FIG. 15)in the third party user database 160. Moreover, third party userdatabase 160 preferably includes a listing of third party authors whohave uploaded web assets to the web assets database 170 for use by theregistered users in creating their websites, and who have beenauthorized by the system 100 to receive payment for the use of their webassets by the registered users. Web assets database 170 stores a catalogof web assets uploaded by third party authors. In addition, web assetsthat are stored in web assets database 170 can include web assets thatare derived from other sources, such as web assets designed by theoperator of the server computer 140. System 100 automaticallycompensates a third party author whose uploaded web asset has beendistributed to a registered user. When system 100 posts a web pagehaving a web asset uploaded by a third party author on behalf of aregistered user, the system 100 credits the credit card account of thethird party author in compensation for the use of the web asset.Specifically, the server computer 140 contacts the credit card company150 corresponding to the third party author's credit card and submits acredit over the internet 130 to the credit card company 150.

Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention employs a graphical userinterface (GUI) to allow a registered user to easily develop a websitecomprising one or more web pages. In one embodiment, all or nearly allof the programming required to operate the GUI is stored on programmingdatabase 190, and is accessed by potential customers and registeredusers by way of their web browsers (and is viewed via the internet 130when needed by those potential customers and registered users). However,in the preferred embodiment, the programming required to operate the GUIis provided to potential customers and registered users as software(i.e., on a floppy disk or a CD-ROM), and is stored directly in theprogramming database 190. Potential customers are capable of interactingwith the GUI to perform certain website design functions by logging intocomputer 140. However, key functions such as searching for web assets,and saving/submitting a fully-designed website for posting on theinternet 130, can only be performed once the potential customers havelogged into the server computer 140 and become registered users suchthat they have full access to the server computer 140 via the internet130. Hereinafter (except with respect to FIG. 11 concerning the log inprocess), all discussion regarding use of the GUI will concern use ofthe GUI by registered users at registered user computers 180; however,it should be understood that third party potential customers can alsoperform limited functions with respect to the GUI before logging intothe system 100.

The GUI is provided on a display at the registered user computer 180 andincludes a primary display screen, which is termed a STICKY WEB™ websitedesign plate 210 (or web design plate) (STICKY WEB™ is a trademark ofthe Perfect Web Corporation, of Delray Beach, Fla.). Website designplate 210 has a plurality of selection buttons 212, which in thepreferred embodiment include a log in button 215, a save button 218, anedit button 220, a navigation button 225, a preview button 230, a textbutton 235, an fx button 240, a color button 245, a sound button 250, atables button 255, a STAY STICKY™ button 260, an e-commerce button 265,an examples button 270 and a help/statistics button 275. In oneembodiment, a registered user selects or actuates selection buttons 212by pointing at the buttons using a mouse of the registered user computer180, and clicking on the mouse. In alternate embodiments, a registereduser can select or actuate selection buttons 212 by providingappropriate keystrokes on a keyboard of the registered user computer180, by appropriately touching a touch screen of the registered usercomputer, or by providing an input signal at another conventional typeof input device known in the art.

In addition to selection buttons 212, website design plate 210 furtherincludes a design space 214 in which can be displayed one or more webassets 205, which together form a web page. Web assets can include JAVAapplets, scripts (including moving scripts and scripts written in avariety of internet languages such as PERL, CGI, SQL, JAVA, XML andHTML), stock art, clip art, digital art, background images, textures,GIF, JPEG, TIF, BMP, chat rooms, message boards, web objects, buttons,templates, themes, fading color, mouse over effects, borders, buttons,shadows, icons, internet designs, sounds, music, etc. In general, webassets are graphic images, including text and related color, sound andanimation features, which can be displayed on a website. When displayedfor a registered user who has logged into the system 100 (as discussedwith reference to FIG. 11), the web assets are interactive, i.e.,information can be exchanged between the registered user and the system100 via the web assets.

As shown in FIG. 2, during design of a website using the GUI, a seconddisplay screen, termed a STICKY PAD™ 310, is often shown within (orover) website design plate 210 (STICKY PADS is a trademark of thePerfect Web Corporation, of Delray Beach, Fla.). STICKY PAD™ 310includes a design space 280 on which one or more web assets 305 can bedisplayed. Web assets 305 can be manipulated on the STICKY PAD™ 310,which acts as the editing platform for the registered user and appearswhen it is necessary to edit or otherwise modify web assets. STICKY PAD™310 further includes a plurality of selection buttons 285, 295, whichare selected by a registered user in the same manner as selectionbuttons 212 are selected. As shown in FIG. 3, buttons 285 include an fxbutton 315, a sound button 320, a color button 325 and a search button330, and buttons 295 include a text editor button 345 and a runningmeter button 350, in one embodiment of the invention. Buttons 285, 295are described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4-9. STICKY PAD™310 additionally includes, in certain embodiments, a banner bar 290.Banner bar 290 is capable of displaying one or more banner adscorresponding to other websites designed by other registered usersthrough the use of system 100, which allow for marketing of thosewebsites. Also, banner bar 290 is capable of displaying banner adscorresponding to outside advertisers.

A registered user can interact with STICKY PAD™ 310 to perform a varietyof operations. The registered user can select (by way of a mouse orother input device) any of the web assets 305 that are currently shownon the STICKY PAD™ 310, move the web assets relative to one another, andalter the size of the web assets. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the registereduser also can select search button 330 to identify and obtain new webassets and other elements, including sound elements and color elements,which can be added to the website that is being developed. Uponselecting search button 330, a search menu 410 appears having selectableoptions 420 for fx (web assets), sound and color. As shown in FIG. 4, ifthe registered user selects fx (web assets) from search menu 410, an fxmenu 430 appears. As shown in FIG. 5, if the registered user selectssound from search menu 410, a sound menu 540 appears. As shown in FIG.6, if the registered user selects color from search menu 410, a colorpallet 640 appears. To streamline operation of the STICKY PAD™ 310, theSTICKY PAD™ further includes individual fx, sound and color buttons 315,320 and 325 which, when selected, result in the immediate display of fxmenu 430, sound menu 540 and color pallet 640.

In the preferred embodiment, fx (web assets) menu 430 includes a searchentry field 435 in which the registered user can enter keywords or othersearch criteria indicative of the type of web assets that the registereduser desires to implement within its website. Upon receiving searchcriteria from the registered user, the system 100 (particularly theserver computer 140) searches the web assets database 170 for web assetsthat meet the search criteria. System 100 employs any of a number ofconventional search engines to perform the searches. Upon the commandingof a search by the registered user, the fx menu 430 lists all availableweb assets that meet the search criteria in a scroll menu, as shown inFIG. 4. Also in the preferred embodiment, sound menu 540 includes asearch entry field 545 in which the registered user can enter keywordsor other search criteria indicative of the type of sounds that theregistered user desires to implement within its website. Upon receivingsearch criteria from the registered user, the system 100 performs asearch for sounds meeting the search criteria and then lists allavailable sound elements that meet the search criteria in a scroll menu,as shown in FIG. 5.

Fx menu 430 and sound menu 540 typically list available elements incategories. For example, for fx/web assets, the categories can includeicons, scripts, chat rooms and message boards and, for sound elements,the categories can include general sounds, noises, music and soundeffects. Although in the preferred embodiment, fx menu 430 and soundmenu 540 list web assets and sound elements that are identified basedupon searches of web assets database 170 and meet search criteriaspecified in search entry fields 435, 545, in alternate embodimentssearches need not be performed. In such embodiments, fx menu 430 andsound menu 540 directly list all available web assets and sound elementsthat are available for implementation into a website, without receivingsearch criteria from the registered user. Further, with respect to colorpallet 640, in the preferred embodiment the color pallet lists allavailable colors without receiving search criteria from the registereduser or performing any searches to narrow down the list of availablecolors. However, in alternate embodiments, color pallet 640 can includea search entry field for receiving search criteria from the registereduser and, upon performing a search, display colors that meet thespecified search criteria.

Once fx menu 430, sound menu 540 and color pallet 640 list available webassets, sound elements and color elements, respectively, the registereduser can select one or more of the elements for implementation in theregistered user's website (i.e., by selecting one or more of theelements using a mouse). The registered user can, upon selecting a webasset, sound or color, cause the selected element to appear withindesign space 280 of STICKY PAD™ 310 (i.e., by double-clicking on theelement using a mouse). The registered user also can apply selected webassets, sound elements or color elements to existing web assets or otherelements within STICKY PAD™ 310. The registered user applies theselected elements to existing elements within the STICKY PAD™ 310 bydragging and dropping the selected elements onto the existing elements.In the preferred embodiment, sound and color elements can be dragged,dropped and otherwise manipulated around the STICKY PAD™ 310 in the samemanner as web assets; when the registered user selects a sound or colorelement, the selected sound or color element is displayed as an icon orthumbnail image 550.

For example, once a chick icon has been selected from fx menu 430 and isdisplayed in design space 280 as web asset 305 a (as shown in FIG. 3),the registered user can further modify the chick to make a peep or othernoise by selecting the desired noise from sound menu 540, dragging thenoise to the chick, and dropping the noise onto the chick. If the colorof the chick as obtained from fx menu 430 is not the desired color,i.e., the color is white and not yellow, the registered user can furthermodify the color of the chick by selecting the color yellow from colorpallet 640, dragging the color to the chick, and dropping the color ontothe chick. Although in the preferred embodiment, sound and colorelements can be dragged and dropped in the same manner as web assets, inalternate embodiments, a registered user can instead apply a particularsound or color element to an existing element within the STICKY PAD™ 310simply by selecting the existing element before (or immediately after)selecting the particular sound or color element. The web assets, soundelements and color elements displayed in fx menu 430, sound menu 540 andcolor pallet 640, respectively, are provided from server computer 140,which accesses web assets database 170. Web assets database 170 storesweb assets that are provided from a variety of sources includinginternet companies, publishers, geeks, designers, and artists. In thepreferred embodiment, some of the web assets stored on web assetsdatabase 170 are provided from independent third party authors whoaccess system 100 by way of third party author computers 120. System 100compensates the independent third party authors when their web assetsare utilized by registered users in designing websites. Web assets canalso be provided under license from major digital and stock artpublishers (i.e., Adobe, Corel, Corn Stock, etc.). Although the system100 is designed to allow the registered user to obtain web assets andsound and color elements from web assets database 170, the system alsoallows the registered user to obtain web assets from other sources. Forexample, the registered user can upload its own web assets from a memorydevice (i.e., the hard drive) of registered user computer 180. Also, incertain embodiments, the registered user can obtain web assets byindependently accessing third party websites via the internet, andselecting web assets displayed on those websites.

The web assets that can be selected from fx menu 430 include web assetsthat consist partly, or even entirely, of text. However, STICKY PAD™ 310further allows a registered user to enter text directly into the STICKYPAD™ by typing in the desired text at a keyboard at registered usercomputer 180. The text is displayed within design space 280 of theSTICKY PAD™ 310 once the registered user hits the “enter” key on thekeyboard. In certain embodiments, text that is desired for entry intothe STICKY PAD™ 310 can be uploaded from a memory associated withregistered user computer 180 rather than typed in by the registereduser. Once the text is displayed within the design space 280, the textcan be selected by the registered user and moved around within designspace 280 like any other web asset. The text can also be edited if theregistered user selects the text editor button 345. As shown in FIG. 7,upon the selection of text editor button 345, a text editor menu 710appears. Displayed on text editor menu 710 are a font/style/size/colorbutton 720 and a spell check button 730. Upon selection of thefont/style/size/color button 720, a font/style/size/color menu 740appears, from which the registered user can select a plurality of fonts,styles and colors for the text as well as select a size setting for thetext.

Upon selection of the spell check button 730, a spell check is performedusing computer algorithms that are well known in the art. In oneembodiment, a spell check result box 750 appears once the spell checkhas been performed in relation to the text, and suggested changes to thetext appear in the spell check result box. In alternate embodiments, thespell check is executed without the display of any spell check resultbox. For example, if a spelling error is detected in the text, thespelling error is highlighted in the text itself. The registered usercan identify which text is to be edited in a variety of ways. In oneembodiment, the registered user must select the text (i.e., highlightthe text, using a mouse) that is to be edited, and then subsequentlyselect text editor button 710. In another embodiment, the registereduser first selects text editor button 710 and then subsequently selectsthe text that is to be edited.

Referring to FIG. 8, STICKY PAD™ 310 additionally includes running meterbutton 350. Upon being selected by the registered user, running meterbutton 350 provides a running meter block 810 that shows an indicationof the size of the web asset(s) that are displayed on STICKY PAD™ 310.As shown in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the indication provided byrunning meter block 810 is an indication (preferably displayed on asingle line of text) of the memory required for storing the web assets.In alternate embodiments, other or additional information can bedisplayed by running meter block 810, e.g., the time required todownload or execute the web assets. In the preferred embodiment, thisother information is not displayed by way of selecting running meterbutton 350 of STICKY PAD™ 310, but is displayed by way ofhelp/statistics button 275 of website design plate 210, as describedbelow with reference to FIG. 14. Although in the present embodiment,size information is only displayed when running meter button 350 isselected by the registered user, in alternate embodiments the runningmeter button is replaced by a running meter display region, which alwaysdisplays the total size of all web assets currently being displayed indisplay region 280.

In the preferred embodiment, the web assets that are selectable by aregistered user are standardized to facilitate the registered user'screation of a website that operates in an efficient and user-friendlymanner and, in particular, does not require too much memory or requireexcessive time to be downloaded from the internet. Thus, in thepreferred embodiment, an authenticating team reviews all web assets thatare provided from third party authors before the web assets are storedon web assets database 170 and accessible by registered users indesigning their websites. The authenticating team only allows web assetsthat do not exceed a maximum kilobytes (K) allowed per web asset and webpage to be stored on the web assets database 170. In addition to storinginformation concerning the characteristics of the web assets, web assetsdatabase 170 also stores accounting information regarding the usage ofthe web assets stored on the web assets database. At the end of eachtime period (i.e., month or quarter), the server computer 140 reviewsthe accounting information and determines the amount of usage of each ofthe web assets by each registered user. The web asset usage is assigneda cash amount per use so that a total amount of money owed by eachregistered user can be calculated (and charged to each respectiveregistered user).

Turning to FIG. 9, a registered user can utilize STICKY PAD™ 310 todesign a banner ad 910 to be used to advertise the registered user'swebsite. The registered user can search for a desired banner ad designby selecting search button 330 and then selecting fx from search menu410 (or simply by selecting fx button 315), to obtain fx menu 430, atwhich a search can be requested. In the fx menu 430, all availablebanner ads have standard size configurations, namely 240×360 pixels or240×240 pixels. As with respect to other web assets that are displayedwithin STICKY PAD™ 310, the banner ad 910 that is being developed usingthe STICKY PAD™ can be moved within the design space 280 and modifiedthrough the addition of other web assets (including text), which areobtained by selecting search button 330 (or fx button 315) and bringingup fx menu 430. Also, the banners can be modified through the additionof sounds and colors, which are obtained by selecting search button 330(or by selecting sound and color buttons 320 and 325, respectively) tobring up sound menu 540 and color pallet 640, respectively.

Also as shown in FIG. 9, the registered user can utilize STICKY PAD™ 310to design a logo 920 for the registered user's website. As with respectto the design of banner ads, the registered user can search for adesired logo design in, and select the desired logo design from, fx menu430. Alternatively, the registered user can upload an already-designedlogo from a memory device at registered user computer 180 (e.g., theregistered user's hard drive) into STICKY PAD™ 310. The selected oruploaded logo can then be further edited and modified within the STICKYPAD™ 310, for example, through the addition of other web assets(including text), sounds and colors. Although in the present embodimentlogos and banner ads are designed using the same searching and designprocedures that are employed in the design of other website elements, inother embodiments STICKY PAD™ 310 and/or website design plate 210 havespecific “logo design” and “banner design” buttons that the registereduser can select to design logos and banner ads, respectively.

When the registered user finishes developing and modifying the webassets in the design space 280 of the STICKY PAD™ 310, the registereduser drags and drops (i.e., using a mouse) the web assets into websitedesign plate 210. In alternate embodiments, the registered user canprovide a command to the system 100 to terminate the display of theSTICKY PAD™ 310, at which time all of the elements being displayed inthe STICKY PAD™ appear in the website design plate 210. When the webassets are dropped into website design plate 210, the web assets becomeinteractive (as long as the registered user has logged in to the system100, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11). That is, the web assetsbecome functional so that the registered user is able to exchangeinformation with respect to the web assets, i.e., interact with system100 through the use of the web assets. When dropped into website designplate 210, the web assets form or are added to a particular web page ofthe website being developed.

A website that is being developed typically will have more than one webpage. As shown in FIG. 10, the registered user can provide informationto the system 100 indicating the number of web pages in the website, aswell as determine the web page that is currently being displayed bywebsite design plate 210, by selecting navigation button 225 on websitedesign plate 210. Upon selecting navigation button 225, a navigationmenu 1010 appears. Navigation menu 1010 includes a list of web pages 1through 10. In alternate embodiments, navigation menu 1010 can listfewer or greater than ten web pages. Adjacent to the web page numbersare fields 1015 for inputting names/identifiers for the respective webpages. The registered user can input a name/identifier corresponding toeach of web pages 1-10 by selecting the respective field 1015 (i.e., byway of a mouse) and typing in the name/identifier. The registered userdetermines which web page is currently being displayed by website designplate 210 by selecting one of the page numbers in the list. In certainembodiments of the invention, the website design plate 210 alwaysdisplays a web page number indication corresponding to the web page thatis currently being displayed, for example, at a corner of design space214.

Websites that are designed using the system 100 are not limited to tenweb pages. As shown in FIG. 10, the registered user can select an addnew page button 1020 on navigation menu 1010 to add additional pages(and to provide names/identifiers corresponding to those additionalpages). Also, although the registered user can type in originalnames/identifiers corresponding to the web pages (e.g., in fields 1015),the registered user can also utilize standard names/identifiers byselecting a scroll menu button 1030. Upon selecting scroll menu button1030, a scroll menu 1040 appears that lists various standard web pagenames/identifiers such as, for example, Company Information, RecentNews, Coming Soon, About Us, Products, and Contact Us. Navigation menu1010 further includes a navigation locations button 1050. Upon selectingthe navigation locations button 1050, the registered user is able todetermine where a navigation bar or website map/outline will bepositioned on one or more web pages of the website (e.g., at the top,bottom, left or right). The navigation bar or website map/outline allowswebsite users to visualize the website as a whole and the various webpages that are available for access by the website users.

As discussed, the STICKY PAD™ 310 acts as the editing platform for theregistered user, and appears when it is necessary to edit or otherwisemodify web assets. During development of a website, the registered usercan select (by way of a mouse or other input device) one or more of theweb assets 205 that are displayed on website design plate 210 toactivate STICKY PAD™ 310 and allow editing of the selected web assets,which appear in design space 280. If an item of text within the designspace 214 is selected by the registered user, both the STICKY PAD™ 310and then the text editor menu 710 appear to allow for editing of thetext. STICKY PAD™ 310 also appears when the registered user proceedswith a search to obtain a desired web asset by selecting the fx button240. Upon the selecting of the fx button 240 by the registered user, thefx menu 430 appears, and the registered user can search for and select adesired web asset. Once the registered user selects a desired web assetfrom the fx menu 430, the STICKY PAD™ 310 appears with the selected webasset being displayed in design space 280.

Additionally, STICKY PAD™ 310 appears when either the color 6 r soundbuttons 245, 250 are selected by the registered user. Upon the selectingof the color or sound buttons 245, 250 by the registered user, the colorpallet 640 or sound menu 540 appear, respectively. Once the registereduser selects a desired color or sound from the color pallet or soundmenu, respectively, the STICKY PAD™ 310 appears with a thumbnail image550 representing the selected color or sound being displayed in designspace 280. Further, STICKY PAD™ 310 appears when the text button 235 ofwebsite design plate 210 is selected. When text button 235 is selected,the STICKY PAD™ 310 immediately appears and the registered user isallowed to type in text at the keyboard of registered user computer 180.Text editor button 345 can then be selected by the registered user fromthe STICKY PAD™ 310 to edit the text.

In addition to web assets (from fx menu 430), sounds, colors and text,the GUI of system 100 is also capable of adding tables and cells to thewebsite being designed in order to provide depth and perception to thewebsite. As shown in FIG. 11, when tables button 255 is selected by theregistered user, a tables menu 1110 appears. The registered user canthen select from the tables menu 1110 one or more tables 1120 and cells1130, and also specify the locations of the tables/cells on a web pageby selecting a locations button 1140. In one embodiment, the possiblelocations of tables/cells on a web page include a top location, a bottomlocation, a left location and a right location. Unlike the editing ofweb assets, sounds, colors and text, in the preferred embodiment STICKYPAD™ 310 does not appear upon the selection of tables button 255.Rather, once a table/cell is selected, the registered user can drag anddrop the selected table/cell directly into website design plate 210.

Upon being dropped into the website design plate 210, the table/cellautomatically aligns at an edge of the design space 214, with theappropriate edge being determined by the location selected by theregistered user. Also upon being dropped into the website design plate210, the table/cell becomes interactive. The registered user can movethe table/cell from its original location, and also can adjust the sizeof the table/cell by selecting the table/cell (i.e., by way of a mouse)and stretching or contracting the boundaries of the table/cell. Webassets and other elements can be dragged and dropped both from STICKYPAD™ 310 and from other locations on website design plate 210 intotables and cells, and the color of tables/cells can be modified byselecting color button 245. Tables differ from cells in that cellstypically form enclosed areas within tables. Cells cannot be movedoutside of (or moved to overlap) a table boundary enclosing the cells.In alternate embodiments, tables/cells can be created and modified byway of the STICKY PAD™ 310.

Further shown in FIG. 11 is a log in menu 1150 that appears upon theselection of log in button 215 by a potential customer. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, several features of the GUI can be operatedbefore completion of the log in process, such as uploading web assetsfrom a hard drive of a third party potential customer computer 110 intothe website design plate 210. However, key functions such as searchingfor web assets, and saving/submitting a fully-designed website forposting on the internet can only be performed by registered users whohave full access to the server computer 140 via the internet. To obtainfull access to the server computer 140 and perform such functions, login information must be provided to the system 100. By requiring this login information, the system 100 can monitor the activity of theregistered users and bill the registered users for their usage of thesystem, including their usage of web assets provided from third partyauthor computers 120 and saved on web assets database 170. Additionally,the information provided by registered users during the log in processcan be used by the system 100 to determine appropriate markets for theregistered users' websites. The use of this market information isdiscussed further in reference to FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 11, the selection of log in button 215 brings up log inmenu 1150. The log in menu 1150 includes a scroll and input form withmultiple fields 1160 that must be filled in to complete the log inprocess. The fields 1160 can include, for example, fields for thepotential customer's (i.e., prospective registered user's) name,address, e-mail address, telephone number, interests, hobbies andbusinesses. Upon the completing of fields 1160, a desired identificationname is further provided into an identification field 1170 and a desiredpassword is provided into a password field 1180. The information fromfields 1160-1180 is then provided from the third party potentialcustomer (i.e., prospective registered user) computer 110 via theinternet 130 to the server computer 140, where the information isprocessed and then provided for storage on third party user database160. Although in the preferred embodiment, the identification nameand/or password are chosen by the potential customer, in alternateembodiments, the identification name and password are assigned by thesystem 100.

Assuming that the information provided into the fields 1160-1180 of login menu 1150 is not rejected by the server computer 140 (e.g., becauseinformation was not entered for some of the fields, or because thee-mail address that was entered is invalid), the server computer logs inthe potential customer as a registered user and allows the newregistered user to access all of the functionality of the system 100.Also upon successfully logging in the new registered user, the systemprompts the new registered user regarding a web address for theregistered user's website by displaying a URL query form 1190. The webaddress typically concludes with any top-level domain name, i.e., .com,.net, etc. The query form is licensed for use on the system 100 fromInternic and/or the other five URL registrants. Further, uponsuccessfully logging in to the system 100, the new registered user canthereafter bypass the full log in process when reentering the system bysimply inputting its identification name and password into theidentification and password fields 1170, 1180. Upon reentering thesystem 100, the registered user selects edit button 220 on websitedesign plate 210 to cause the registered user's website (in its currentstate of development) to become interactive. Additionally, uponselecting edit button 220, the registered user can modify any element ofthe website that is shown within design space 214 by selecting thatelement (i.e., by clicking on the element using a mouse) to bring upSTICKY PAD™ 310, and then modifying the element within the STICKY PAD™as discussed above.

Turning to FIG. 12, website design plate 210 further includes STAYSTICKY™ button 260, which brings up a STAY STICKY™ menu 1210 whenselected by the registered user (STAY STICKY™ is a trademark of thePerfect Web Corporation of Delray Beach, Fla.). STAY STICKY™ menu 1210lists STAY STICKY™ features that are available to the registered user indesigning and marketing its website. The STAY STICKY™ features providethe registered user with special information concerning, and marketingopportunities with respect to, other registered users who have designedtheir websites using the system 100. That is, the STAY STICKY™ featuresprovide special marketing benefits to registered users of the system 100vis-a-vis one another. Specifically, the registered user can select fromtwo options on the STAY STICKY™ menu 1210, smart agent and MAIL WIZ™(MAIL WIZ™ is a trademark of the Perfect Web Corporation of DelrayBeach, Fla.). Upon the selection of the smart agent option from the STAYSTICKY™ menu 1210, a smart agent menu 1220 appears. The registered usercan select (e.g., by way of a mouse) from among three options on thesmart agent menu 1220, a suggested marketing locations option 1230, acreate links option 1240, and a banner ad rotations option 1250.

When the registered user selects suggested marketing locations option1230, the server computer 140 determines the best possible places tomarket the registered user's website on the internet. That is, theserver computer 140 determines other websites on which it would be mostbeneficial to display a link to, or banner concerning, the registereduser's website. The server computer 140 makes this determination basedupon the information provided by the registered user during the log inprocess, particularly the information provided in fields 1160 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 11. Using this information, the servercomputer 140 searches the information stored in third party userdatabase 160 to identify other websites on which it would be desirableto market the registered user's website. Server computer 140 can utilizeany one of a number of search engines that are currently well known inthe art to identify such websites using the log in information providedby the registered user. In alternate embodiments, server computer 140can also access other information other than that within third partyuser database 160, including information concerning websites or othermarketing locations that were not developed through the use of thesystem 100. Upon determining desirable marketing locations, the system100 can display the identified marketing locations to the registereduser.

Upon selection by the registered user of the create links option 1270,the GUI provides a location selection menu 1260, in which the registereduser can identify addresses for websites to which the registered userdesires its website to be linked. In the preferred embodiment, thewebsites can be selected from among the websites that have been createdby other registered users using the system 100. Location selection menu1260 includes several open fields 1270 in which the registered user canspecify desired websites. Further, location selection menu 1260 liststhe suggested websites that were identified in the search performed byserver computer 140 upon selection of the suggested marketing locationsoption 1230. The list includes selection boxes 1275 that the registereduser can check to indicate its selection of the various suggestedwebsites. If the registered user has not yet selected suggestedmarketing locations option 1230, the server computer 140 performs thesearch for suggested websites when it generates location selection menu1260. Once the registered user has selected its desired marketinglocations on location selection menu 1260, the system 100 has sufficientinformation to create links to the registered user's website at otherwebsites.

The registered user can further select the banner ad rotations option1250 from the smart agent menu 1220. Upon the selecting of banner adrotations option 1250, the system 100 determines whether the registereduser has already designed (or uploaded or otherwise provided to thesystem) a banner ad, as discussed with reference to FIG. 9. If theregistered user has not already designed a banner ad, the systemdisplays a message indicating that it is necessary to create a banner adin order to participate in banner ad rotations. The system 100 alsoprovides banner ad design options from which the registered user canselect a desired banner design. The design options can be obtained bythe registered user by using fx menu 430 to perform a search for bannerads. Following selection of a desired banner ad design, STICKY PAD™ 310appears, allowing the registered user to further modify and thencomplete its design of the banner ad. Once a banner ad design iscompleted, a location selection menu identical to location selectionmenu 1260 appears following selection of the banner ad rotations option1250. The location selection menu allows the registered user to specifythe websites at which the registered user desires its banner ad toappear. Once the registered user has selected its desired locations onthe location selection menu, the system 100 has sufficient informationto create banner ads advertising the registered user's website at otherwebsites.

By completing these steps relating to the create links option 1240and/or the banner ad rotations option 1250, the registered user causesits website to participate in linking and/or banner ad display functionswith other websites that also were created using the system 100 byregistered users who opted to participate in these linking and/or bannerad display functions. Once the design of the new website by theregistered user is completed and the new website is posted/activated,the system 100 causes the selected websites of other registered users(i.e., the websites selected during the design of the new website) todisplay a link and/or banner ad concerning the new website. In thepreferred embodiment, each website that is developed by a registereduser who opts to participate in the linking functions can displayunlimited links to other registered users' websites. If the number oflinks to be displayed exceeds the available display space on the displayscreen, links can be rotated on and off the screen. Each website that isdeveloped by a registered user who opts to participate in the banner addisplay functions can rotate an unlimited number of banner ads for otherregistered users' websites. The banner ads can be shown sequentiallyover a period of time at the registered user's website.

System 100 will cause each website that is designed to participate inthe linking and/or banner ad functions to include, on at least one webpage of the website, a link region and/or a banner ad region for thedisplay of links to and/or banner ads for other websites. The linksdisplayed in the link region of a given website can change as newwebsites are created using the system 100 by registered users, or as oldwebsites are deactivated. In certain embodiments, a registered user isallowed to change its selections of desired marketing locations afterthe posting of its website; in such embodiments, it can be the case thata link displayed at a given marketing location is removed from displaybecause the registered user who selected the link changed itspreferences. Likewise, the banner ads that are sequentially shown in thebanner ad rotation region of a given website can change as new websitesare created, old websites are deactivated or marketing locationpreferences change. System 100 charges the registered user's website afee for participation in the linking and/or banner ad functions wheneverlinks to the registered user's website are shown on other websites, orwhenever the banner ad for the registered user's website is shown onother websites. For the registered user's website to participate in thelinking and/or banner ad functions, the registered user must completethe website design process and save the selected locations for linksand/or banner ads (as well as, in the case of participation in thebanner ad functions, save the banner ad design for the registered user'swebsite) at the server computer 140. In some embodiments, credit card(and payment) information must be provided by the registered user whenthe registered user is setting up the linking and/or banner ad rotationfunctions, i.e., after the registered user specifies the locations atwhich the registered user desires links and/or banner ads for itswebsite tb appear. The amount of payment can depend upon the number oflinks and/or banner ads to be displayed, i.e., the number of desiredmarketing locations.

Upon selection of the mail wiz option from the STAY STICKY™ menu 1210, aMAIL WIZ™ menu 1280 appears, which provides the registered user with afield 1285 for entering a desired quantity 1285 of e-mail messages to besent out, and also provides an e-mail message field 1290 in which theregistered user can input a desired e-mail message. Once the registereduser completes the design of the website, and the website isposted/activated, the system 100 sends the specified e-mall message toother registered users (or their websites), whose e-mail addresses arelocated in third party user database 160. In certain embodiments, e-mailmessages are only sent to selected locations that are specified by theregistered user during development of the website, for example, thelocations specified by the registered user in location selection menu1260. In other embodiments, e-mail messages are also sent to the e-mailaddresses of parties who are not registered users. In still furtherembodiments, the system 100 determines suggested e-mail addresses basedupon the log in information provided by the registered user and theinformation in third party user database 160. In the preferredembodiment, the number of e-mail messages that are sent from theregistered user's website to other e-mail addresses is recorded in astatistic log, and the number of e-mail messages that are received bythe registered user's website is also recorded in the statistic log.Further in the preferred embodiment, the registered user providespayment to the system 100 for the quantity of e-mail messages to be sentas specified on MAIL WIZ™ menu 1280. System 100 continues to send e-mailmessages on behalf of the registered user's website to other e-mailmessages until the specified number of e-mail messages has been sent.

Turning to FIG. 13, the registered user can select e-commerce button 265to add to its website various features that allow for e-commerce (i.e.,allow for the selling of goods and services over the internet). Upon theselecting of e-commerce button 265, an e-commerce menu 1310 appears. Inthe preferred embodiment, the registered user can select from twodifferent types of e-commerce features, a standard e-commerce feature1320 and an auction feature 1330. Upon selecting the standard e-commercefeature 1320, the registered user then can select one or more shoppingcarts from a shopping carts to select list 1325. Upon selecting theauction feature 1330, the registered user can select one or more typesof auction features from an auction to select list 1335. Afterdetermining the type of e-commerce feature to be implemented on itswebsite, the registered user then can upload (i.e., from a memory deviceat registered user computer 180) a picture of the product to be sold onthe registered user's website, at product picture field 1340. Further,in a product description field 1345, a product price field 1350 and aSKU field 1355, a registered user can respectively input a descriptionof the product to be sold at its website, the product's price and a SKUnumber correlating to the product. In the case where an auction featurehas been selected, the product price entered in product price field 1350is a reserve price. Also, in certain embodiments, the creation of anauction feature further requires the input of information, by theregistered user, concerning starting and finishing times for the holdingof auctions.

Finally, the registered user must input a merchant account identifier ina merchant account field 1360 indicating a merchant account that willapply to sales conducted using the shopping cart/auction of theregistered user's website. If a merchant account relationship has notyet been established such that the registered user cannot enter amerchant account identifier, a merchant account information form 1370appears, at which the registered user can enter necessary informationfor setting up a merchant account relationship. This information caninclude, for example, the name of the registered user's business, theaddress of the business, and the business type, among other types ofinformation. In the preferred embodiments, the merchant accountinformation form 1370 is a standard form that is provided by a creditcard and/or merchant account provider. The credit card and/or merchantaccount provider providing the merchant account information form 1370 incertain embodiments pays a licensing or other fee to the system 100 inorder to display its merchant account information form using the system.When the registered user has completed filling out the merchant accountinformation form 1370, the filled out form is sent to the credit cardand/or merchant account provider. The merchant account providereventually responds back to the registered user with follow-upinformation concerning the setting up of the merchant account. Theregistered user cannot activate any of the e-commerce functions (i.e.,functions employing a shopping cart or auction) without having completedthe setting up of a merchant account with a merchant account provider.Once the merchant account is set up, however, the registered user entersthe merchant account identification information into field 1360 and thee-commerce functionality can be activated.

Referring to FIG. 14, the system 100 is also capable of providingseveral types of assistance to the registered user during design of itswebsite. The registered user can select the examples button 270 to bringup an examples menu 1410, which in the preferred embodiment lists tenexamples 1420 that can be selected by the registered user. Each of theexamples 1420, upon being selected by the registered user, shows how aweb page, banner, logo, or other element can be designed using websitedesign plate 210, STICKY PAD™ 310, and other features of the system 100.In the preferred embodiment, selection of an example 1420 produces avisual demonstration of an example website being taken apart and thenput back together. While the example website is being put back together,a tutorial program runs that instructs the registered user on operatingwebsite design plate 210, STICKY PAD™ 310, and other features of system100 to allow for the creation, saving, and posting/activation of awebsite using the system. In certain embodiments, the system 100 willconduct contests among registered users concerning the registered users'prowess in designing websites.

The registered user can also select the help/statistics button 275 tobring up a help/statistics menu 1430. Help/statistics menu 1430 listsfour different options that are selectable by the registered user: adocument help option 1440; a tech support option 1450, a wizard option1460, and a size meter option 1470. Upon the selection of the documenthelp option 1440, the GUI displays written instructions concerningvarious features of the system 100. For example, the GUI can displayexplanation messages concerning the purposes and operation of thevarious buttons 215-275 when the registered user selects any of thosebuttons (or, in certain embodiments, merely positions a cursor or otherselection marker over one of those buttons). Also, for example, the GUIcan display instructions as to how a web asset can be modified if thatweb asset is positioned within website design plate 210 or STICKY PAD™310.

With respect to tech support option 1450, the registered user can reachtech support for the system 100 by telephoning a particular telephonenumber (i.e., a 900 number), or by sending an e-mail to tech support.Then, by selecting tech support option 1450, tech support personnel forthe system 100 can view the registered user's website online and providethe registered user with any needed website design information or otherassistance either by way of telephone or e-mail while viewing theregistered user's website online. Upon selection of the wizard option1460, a wizard caricature appears that offers helpful hints andsuggestions to the registered user during different steps in the websitedesign process. The information provided by the wizard is similar tothat provided in connection with document help option 1440, although thetext shown is typically in a shortened form so that the text can beprovided in a caption along side the wizard caricature. In alternateembodiments, the helpful hints and suggestions from the wizardcaricature are verbalized using speech synthesis technology.

The registered user can further select size meter option 1470 to obtaininformation regarding how well the registered user's website, ascurrently designed, will perform upon posting. Upon the selection of thesize meter option 1470, a meter box 1480 appears, in which a variety ofinformation regarding the operability of the current website design isprovided. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the meter box 1480includes information regarding each of the size of the entire websitecurrently being designed, the time required to download the entirewebsite via the internet (to a computer accessing the website using abrowser) the size of the current web page that is being displayed onwebsite design plate 210, and the time for downloading that particularweb page. Further in the preferred embodiment, each of these types ofinformation is provided for the website when operating on differenttypes of internet systems with different connectivities, such asinternet systems using a T-1 communication link, a DSL or ISDNcommunication link, or modems having operation speeds of 56K, 33.6K or28.8K. In certain embodiments, the registered user has an option toselect the desired/expected connectivity of the website and to obtaininformation for that connectivity only.

In certain embodiments of the invention, meter box 1480 can contain lessor more information concerning the expected operation of the websitebeing designed. For example, in certain embodiments, the meter box 1480only includes size information. In other embodiments, meter box 1480includes not only size information regarding the entire website andindividual web pages, but also provides a breakdown of the sizes of eachweb asset or other element on a given web page. In certain embodiments,running meter block 810 displayed in conjunction with STICKY PAD™ 310contains the same information that is displayed in meter box 1480.Although in one embodiment, the meter box 1480 is only displayed whenthe size meter option 1470 is selected, in alternate embodiments, themeter box 1480 (or at least some of the information displayed in meterbox 1480) is always displayed on website design plate 210. In suchembodiments, the information being displayed that corresponds to theparticular web page that is being edited varies as the registered userchanges from editing one web page to editing a different web page usingnavigation button 225. The information can be shown on multiple lines orbe provided in a single-line format to save display space. In thepreferred embodiment, the information provided in meter box 1480 changeswhenever a new web asset or other element is dropped into website designplate 210.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, the system 100 always monitors thecurrent sizes of the website and web pages that are being designed, andprovides a warning message whenever the website as a whole or individualweb pages have exceeded maximum limits for size and download times(e.g., “Your site has exceeded download time parameters.”). When thewebsite being designed exceeds maximum size and/or download timeparameters, the system 100 automatically displays relevant help messageto provide the registered user with suggestions for reducing the sizeand/or download time of the website/web page. These warning and helpmessages can be provided by the wizard feature discussed above. If theregistered user does not heed the warning concerning the size and/ordownload time of the website/web page, the system 100 automaticallyrestricts the ability of the registered user to add additional webassets and other elements to the website/web page and thereby guaranteesthat the website, when completed, will be within acceptable size anddownload time guidelines.

At any time during the course of the design of a website using websitedesign plate 210 (assuming the log in process has been completed, asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 11), the registered user can selectpreview button 230 to view the operation of the website in its currentstate of design. The registered user can view the operation of thewebsite as it would appear using a variety of different internetbrowsers, e.g., the Netscape Navigator™ browser or the MicrosoftInternet Explorer™ browser. Previewing the website does not save thewebsite for activation, but rather gives the registered user a“snapshot” of the website in its current state, and allows theregistered user to view the alignment, color schemes and other featuresof the website before the website is saved and activated. Further, atany time during the design of a website (assuming the log in process hasbeen completed, as discussed with reference to FIG. 11), the registereduser can select save button 218 to save the website in its present format server computer 140 (specifically at third party user database 160).If the website design has been completed and the website is ready forsubmission and activation on the internet, the registered user canprovide such an indication (in certain embodiments, an additional submitbutton is displayed on website design plate 210 to allow the registereduser to immediately submit a completed website for activation on theinternet).

If the registered user selects the save button 218 but has not yetprovided payment information concerning the manner in which theregistered user will be paying for its use of system 100, a payment box1510 appears. Within payment box 1510, a message 1520 is provided to theregistered user indicating that payment information is necessary (e.g.,“Did you forget to pay?”) and the registered user is provided with anoption 1530 to pay by credit card. When the pay by credit card option1530 is selected, a credit card information menu 1540 appears, in whichthe registered user can provided the necessary information for enablingcredit card payment to the system 100 from the registered user's creditcard. In one embodiment, the registered user must enter its name, creditcard number, and expiration date in a name field 1550, a credit cardnumber field 1560, and an expiration date field 1570, respectively. Oncethe credit card information is received at, and approved by, the system100, the registered user can save its website design information. In thepreferred embodiment, the registered user provides the same useridentification and password information that were provided during thelog in process at a user identification field 1580 and a password field1590, respectively, for additional security. In addition to requiringcredit card information for allowing the saving and submission ofwebsite design information by the registered user, the system 100 alsorequires credit card information to be provided before allowing theregistered user to access certain other features. For example, techsupport will only be provided when the registered user has providedcredit card information or contacts tech support via the 900 number ore-mail. Also, the system 100 does not accept web addresses specified bythe registered user for the purpose of creating links or participatingin banner ad rotation unless the registered user has provided creditcard information.

FIGS. 16-23 provide flow charts showing exemplary steps of operation ofthe system 100 as it is used by the registered user to design a website.In particular, the flow charts concern the operation of the GUI, i.e.,website design plate 210 and STICKY PAD™ 310. The flow charts of FIGS.16-22 can be combined together to form a larger collection of steps.Referring to FIG. 16, the operation of the GUI of the system 100 beginswith the display of the website design plate 210 on a user interface atstep 1602. The user interface can be a computer monitor, a televisionscreen or any other input/output device that includes a display screenthat is known in the art. Next, at step 1604, a search request isreceived at the user interface. At step 1606, the system 100 determinesif the party accessing the system has already logged into the system. Ifthe registered party has not already logged in (i.e., the party is apotential customer rather than a registered user), the system proceedsto step 1608, in which a login form such as that discussed withreference to FIG. 11 is displayed. At step 1610, the system 100 receivesuser information at the user interface (i.e., in the login form). Atsteps 1612 and 1614, respectively, the user information is transmittedto and saved at a database of the system, i.e., third party userdatabase 160.

Upon completing the log in process (such that the potential customer isnow a registered user), or if it was determined in step 1606 that theregistered user was already logged in, the system proceeds to step 1616,at which the system accesses a database to obtain information regardingweb assets or other elements. The information that is obtained isresponsive to the search request entered at step 1604; that is, theinformation concerns web assets, if the search request was made via fxmenu 430, concerns sound elements if the search request was made viasound menu 540 and concerns color elements if the search request wasmade via color pallet 640. The information concerning the web assets orother elements comes from web assets database 170. At step 1618, the GUIprovides a listing of the available web assets or other elements, in fxmenu 430, sound menu 540 or color pallet 640 depending upon the type ofsearch request that was received at step 1604. At step 1620, the system100 receives a selection indication from the registered user at the userinterface that indicates a first web asset or other element that theregistered user desires to implement in its website. Upon receiving thisselection of a web asset or other element, the STICKY PAD™ 310 isdisplayed at the user interface. At step 1624, any further informationthat is necessary to display the selected web asset or other element isobtained from web assets database 170, and then, at step 1626, theselected web asset or other element is displayed on the STICKY PAD™ 310.In step 1628, the size of the selected web asset or other element isdisplayed on the STICKY PAD™ in the running meter block 810, which inalternate embodiments can also display the download time or otherinformation regarding the selected web asset or other element.

At step 1630, the system 100 receives an additional input at the userinterface from the registered user. If the additional input is anothersearch request (as in step 1604), the system 100 again accesses webassets database 170 to obtain information regarding available web assetsor other elements, at step 1632. At step 1634, the system 100 againprovides a listing of available web assets or other elements that isresponsive to the search request. At step 1636, the system 100 receivesan input from the registered user indicating which of the listed webassets or other elements is desired for implementation in the registereduser's website. Then, in step 1638, the system 100 retrieves informationconcerning the selected web asset or other element. Further, at step1640, the system 100 receives an additional input from the registereduser that is a command indicating where to position the newly selectedweb asset or other element on the STICKY PAD™ 310. The input can be acommand to drag and drop the selected web asset or other element ontothe first web asset or other element that is already positioned withinthe STICKY PAD™ 310, or can be merely a command to display the selectedweb asset or other element at some location within design space 280 ofSTICKY PAD™ 310. In response to this input command, the displayedcontents of the STICKY PAD™ 310 are modified to include the newlyselected web asset or other element at step 1642. Upon modifying thedisplayed contents of the STICKY PAD™ 310, the size of the modifiedcontents of the STICKY PAD™ is displayed (i.e., updated) at the runningmeter block 810 of the STICKY PAD™, at step 1644. The program thenreturns to step 1630.

The additional input received at the user interface at step 1630 canalso be a command to drop the STICKY PAD™ contents into the websitedesign plate 210. If this occurs, the STICKY PAD™ 310 is removed fromthe user interface, i.e., is no longer displayed, at step 1646. Then, atstep 1648, the STICKY PAD™ contents are displayed in an interactivemanner on the website design plate 210. The system 100 then is ready toreceive an additional input at the user interface, at step 1650. Incertain embodiments in which the GUI can display both website designplate 210 and STICKY PAD™ 310 simultaneously (e.g., on different partsof the display screen of the user interface), the STICKY PAD™ 310 neednot be removed from display. Rather, the contents of the STICKY PAD™ 310need only be moved or copied to the website design plate 210.

Referring to FIG. 17A, if the input received at the user interface atstep 1650 is a text input command, the system 100 immediately displaysSTICKY PADS 310 again on the user interface at step 1702. The text inputcommand is a selection of text button 235. Once STICKY PAD™ 310 isdisplayed, the registered user can input text by typing text at the userinterface, which is received by the system 100 at step 1704. The textthat is input at the user interface by the registered user is displayedin the STICKY PAD™ 310, at step 1706. Then, at step 1708, the system 100receives an additional command at the user interface. If the command isto invoke the text editor, i.e., the registered user selects text editorbutton 345 of STICKY PAD™ 310, the system 100 proceeds to step 1710, anddisplays text editor options.

At step 1712, the system 100 receives a command concerning the texteditor options. If the registered user provides a command to perform aspell check, the system 100 then executes a spell check of the text atstep 1714 and displays the spell checked text at step 1716, beforereturning to step 1708 to receive an additional command. If the receivedcommand at step 1712 is to modify one of the font, style, size or colorof the text, the system 100 performs the requested modification and thendisplays the modified text at step 1718 before returning to step 1708 toreceive an additional command. The command to modify the font, style,size or color of the text can include a selection of a change font,change style, change size or change color button, followed by aselection of a desired font, style, size or color to be applied to thetext being edited. At step 1708, it is also possible to receive acommand to drop the STICKY PAD™ contents back into the website designplate 210. If such a command is received, the STICKY PAD™ 310 is removedfrom the user interface (i.e., is no longer displayed) at step 1720, andthen the STICKY PAD™ contents are displayed on the website design plate210, at step 1722. The program then returns to step 1650 for receipt ofan additional input at the user interface.

Referring to FIG. 17B, the additional input received at step 1650 canalso be the selection of tables button 255 of the website design plate210 by the registered user, indicating that the registered user wishesto generate a table or cell. Upon selection of the tables button 255,the system 100 displays the options concerning the creation of tablesand cells, including their location within a website (i.e., bydisplaying tables menu 1110), at step 1750. At step 1752, the system 100receives a selection concerning the tables and cells from the registereduser at the user interface. At step 1754, the selected table or cell isdisplayed on the website design plate 210. Next, at step 1756, a commandcan be received to modify the position or size of the table or cell.Upon receiving such a command, the table or cell is appropriatelyadjusted in position and/or size at step 1758. The command to modify theposition or size of the table or cell at step 1756 can include a commandor selection input concerning the location of the table or cell withinthe website or on a web page (i.e., by way of locations button 1140).Upon completion of the table or cell, the system 100 returns to step1650.

Turning to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the additional input received at the userinterface at step 1650 can be a save input or a preview input, which theregistered user can provide by selecting save button 218 or previewbutton 230 of the website design plate 210, respectively. Upon receivingthe save input, the system 100 determines in step 1802 whether paymenthas been received from the registered user. If payment has not yet beenreceived from the registered user, the system 100 displays at the userinterface an inquiry as to whether payment has been forgotten at step1804. Upon receiving a pay by credit card input at the user interface,at step 1806, the system displays a credit card information form at step1808 (i.e., credit card information menu 1540). In step 1810, creditcard information is received from the registered user at the userinterface and, at step 1812, the system 100 determines whether theinformation provided is adequate. If the credit card information isinadequate, the system 100 returns to step 1808 and the credit cardinformation form is again displayed. If the credit card information isadequate, the system 100 proceeds to step 1814, in which payment isreceived from the registered user's credit card by way of a standarde-commerce credit card transaction. Upon receiving payment at step 1814,or having determined that payment was already received at step 1802, thesystem 100 saves all of the website design information that is currentlyexisting in website design plate 210 at the server computer 140, at step1816. The saved website design information can then be used topost/activate an operational website on the internet. Upon saving theinformation, the system 100 returns to step 1650. With respect to FIG.18B, if the input at step 1650 is a preview input, the system 100proceeds to step 1818, at which a preview of the website's operationgiven its current state of development is provided. This allows for theregistered user to view a simulation of the operation of its website,before the website is saved or activated on the internet. Afterproviding this preview or simulation, the system 100 returns to step1650.

Referring to FIG. 19, the additional input received at step 1650 canalso be a navigation input, which the registered user provides byselecting navigation button 225 of website design plate 210. Uponreceiving the navigation input, the system 100 displays a navigationmenu (i.e., navigation menu 1010), and then receives an additional inputat the user interface, at steps 1902 and 1904, respectively. If theadditional input received at the user interface at step 1904 is aselection of a page name field corresponding to pages 1-10 (i.e., fields1015), the system 100 receives page name information from the registereduser at step 1906 and then displays the page name information in thepage name field at step 1908, before returning to step 1904 to receivean additional input at the user interface. If the input received at step1904 is an add new page command (i.e., provided by selecting add newpage button 1020), the system 100 receives page identificationinformation concerning the newly added page at step 1910 and displaysthe new page number and page identification information on thenavigation menu at step 1912 before returning to step 1904.

If the input at step 1904 is a selection of the scroll menu (i.e.,provided by selecting scroll menu button 1030), the system 100 displayssuggested page names at step 1914, and then receives a selection of oneor more of the suggested page names from the registered user at step1916 before returning to step 1904. If the input received at step 1904is a selection of the navigation locations menu (i.e. selection ofnavigation locations button 1050), the system 100 displays a list oflocations within a web page at which navigation information can bedisplayed, at step 1918. Upon receiving a selected location for thenavigation information from the registered user at step 1920, the systemreturns to step 1904. Further, if the input received at step 1904 is aselection of one of the displayed page numbers on the navigation menu1010, the display of the navigation menu is ended at step 1922, and theselected web page is displayed on the website design plate 210 at step1924. The system 100 then returns to step 1650.

Referring to FIG. 20, the registered user can provide a STAY STICKY™input at step 1650 by selecting STAY STICKY™ button 260. Upon receivingsuch an input, the system 100 displays STAY STICKY™ menu 1210 at step2002 and then receives a STAY STICKY™ selection at step 2004. If thereceived selection is for the smart agent feature, the system 100 thenreceives an input concerning the smart agent feature at smart agent menu1220, at step 2006. If the received input is a request for suggestedmarketing locations, the system 100 checks third party user database 160to determine whether suggested marketing locations had previously beendetermined, at step 2008. If suggested marketing locations had beenpreviously determined, these suggested marketing locations are thendisplayed at the user interface, at step 2014. If suggested marketinglocations had not been previously determined, the system 100 accessesthird party user database 160 to obtain the registered user's log ininformation, and then determines suggested marketing locations basedupon this log in information, at steps 2010 and 2012, respectively. Oncethe suggested marketing locations are determined, these suggestedmarketing locations are then displayed at step 2014. Following displayof the suggested marketing locations at step 2014, the system 100returns to step 2004.

If the STAY STICKY™ selection received at step 2004 is to create links,the system 100 then receives marketing location selections at the userinterface at step 2018. The marketing location selection information canbe provided by the registered user at location selection menu 1260. Uponreceiving the marketing location selection information, the marketinglocation selection information is stored at third party user database160 at step 2020. This stored information is later used to generatelinks at the selected marketing locations (i.e., websites) when theregistered user's website is activated. The system 100 then proceeds tostep 2022, at which the system determines whether a reciprocal link sitehas already been created in the registered user's website, fordisplaying links to other websites. If a link site has not yet beencreated, the system creates a link site on the registered user'swebsite, at step 2024 before returning to step 1650. Otherwise, thesystem 100 immediately returns to step 1650.

If the STAY STICKY™ selection received at step 2004 is for banner adrotation, the system 100 proceeds to step 2026, at which the systemdetermines whether a banner ad has already been created by theregistered user. If a banner ad has not yet been created, the system 100proceeds to step 2028, in which the system displays at the userinterface a message indicating that a banner ad needs to be created bythe registered user in order to participate in banner ad rotation,before returning to step 1650. A banner ad can then be created by theregistered user using he capabilities of the website design plate 210and the STICKY PAD™ 310, including the search capabilities. If it isdetermined at step 2026 that a banner ad has already been created by theregistered user, the system 100 proceeds to step 2030, at which itreceives marketing location selection information at the user interface.The marketing location selection information can be provided at locationselection menu 1260 or a similar menu, and can include marketinglocation selections that were determined by the system at step 2012.

At step 2032, the marketing location selection information provided fromthe registered user is stored in third party user database 160, where itcan be later accessed upon activation of the registered user's website.The system 100 then proceeds to step 2034, at which it determineswhether a reciprocal banner ad site has already been created on theregistered user's website, so that banner ads from other websites can bedisplayed on the registered user's website once it is activated. If abanner ad site has not yet been created, the system 100 creates a bannerad site at step 2036 before returning to step 1650. Otherwise, if abanner ad site has already been created, the system 100 immediatelyreturns to step 1650. Upon activation of the registered user's website,the registered user's website can display an unlimited number of bannerads from other websites on its reciprocal banner ad site, and the system100 also displays the registered user's banner ad at the marketinglocations (websites) that the registered user specified at step 2030.

If, at step 2004, the STAY STICKY™ selection is for the MAIL WIZ™feature, the system 100 proceeds to step 2038 and displays MAIL WIZ™menu 1280. The system 100 then receives an input from the registereduser concerning the number of parties that the registered user desiresto be included on the registered user's e-mail list, at step 2040.Further, at step 2042, the system 100 receives an input at the userinterface concerning the registered user's desired e-mail message. Allof the received information is then saved in third party user database160, before the system 100 returns to step 1650. Upon activation of theregistered user's website, e-mail messages are sent to other registereduser's websites, and the number of e-mail messages sent is monitored bythe system 100. Although not shown in FIG. 20, in some embodimentscredit card information (and payment) must be received by the system 100in order to set up and activate the STAY STICKY™ features, i.e., bannerad rotation, links creation, and MAIL WIZ™. In such embodiments, thesystem 100 performs steps 1808-1814 (shown with respect to FIG. 18)during or immediately following its performance of steps 2018-2024,2026-2036 and 2038-2044 concerning links creation, banner ad rotationand MAIL WIZ™, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 21, the registered user can provide an e-commerceinput at step 1650 by selecting e-commerce button 265 from websitedesign plate 210. Upon receiving the e-commerce input, the system 100displays e-commerce menu 1310, at step 2102. The system 100 thenreceives at step 2104 an input from the registered user concerning thedesired type of e-commerce. If the received input indicates that theregistered user desires to employ a standard e-commerce arrangementinvolving a shopping cart, the system 100 displays a list of availableshopping cart types at step 2106. The system then receives a selectionof a type of shopping cart from the registered user at step 2108, beforeproceeding to step 2114. If the received input at step 2104 is for ane-commerce arrangement involving an auction, the system 100 displays alist of available auction types at step 2110, and then receives aselection of a type of auction from the registered user at step 2112before proceeding to step 2114. At step 2114, the system 100 uploads aproduct picture provided from the registered user, i.e., from the harddrive of the registered user computer 180. Then, the system 100 furtherreceives inputs concerning the product description, the product priceand the product SKU number at the user interface, at steps 2116, 2118,and 2119, respectively. If the e-commerce arrangement selected by theregistered user involves an auction, the product price informationreceived from the registered user at step 2118 concerns a reservedprice.

Next, at step 2120, the system 100 determines whether merchant accountinformation has already been provided from the registered user. Ifmerchant account information has not yet been provided, the system 100displays merchant account information form 1370, at step 2122. Uponreceiving step 1650. If the received help/statistics selection concernstech support, the system 100 displays a message indicating that techsupport can be obtained either by sending an e-mail message or bytelephone, at step 2210. The system 100 then provides the registereduser with an option to proceed with tech support, which option must beselected by the registered user in order for a tech support specialistto view the current status of the registered user's GUI and provideassistance, at step 2211. Once assistance has been provided, the system100 returns to step 1650.

If the received help/statistics selection concerns a wizard input, thesystem 100 displays the wizard caricature at the user interface, at step2212. The system 100 then accesses programming database 190 to obtainany relevant wizard suggestions, at step 2214, and then displays therelevant wizard suggestions, at step 2216, before returning to step1650. If the help/statistics selection received at step 2204 is a sizemeter input, then the system calculates size and download timeparameters for the registered user's website, as well as for the currentweb page being displayed by website design plate 210, at step 2218.Then, at step 2220, the system 100 displays at the user interface meterbox 1480, which shows the size and download time parameters for theregistered user's website and the currently displayed web page, beforereturning to step 1650.

Turning to FIG. 23, an additional flow chart is provided showingoperation of the system 100 when the registered user is returning to thesystem to complete a website design that was previously begun. At step2302, website design plate 210 is provided at the user interface. If thesystem 100 determines that the registered user's website in its currentstate of development has more than one web page, at step 2304, thesystem 100 displays navigation menu 1010 at step 2306. The system 100then receives a selection of one of the web page numbers displayed onnavigation menu 1010, at step 2308. Upon receiving a selected web pagenumber, the system 100 removes navigation menu 1010 from the userinterface, at step 2310, and displays the one or more web assets andother elements of the selected web page on the website design plate 210,at step 2312. Further, if the system 100 determines, at step 2304, thatthe registered user's website in its current state of development hasonly web page, the system displays the one or more web assets or otherelements of that web page on the website design plate 210, at step 2312.

Next, at step 2314, the system 100 receives an edit command provided bythe registered user by selecting edit button 220. Upon receiving theedit command, the system 100 causes each of the web assets and otherelements that are displayed on the website design plate 210 to becomeinteractive, at step 2316. The system 100 then receives a selection ofone or more of the web assets or other elements displayed on the websitedesign plate, at step 2318. In response to this selection, the system100 displays STICKY PAD™ 310 on the user interface, at step 2320, andfurther displays the selected web asset or other element on the STICKYPAD™ as the STICKY PAD™ contents, at step 2322. At step 2324, the system100 receives a command to modify the selected web asset or other elementdisplayed within STICKY PAD™ 310. This command can involve addingadditional web assets, sounds or colors to the selected web asset or tothe design space 280 surrounding the selected web asset, as well asinvolve moving the selected web asset within design space 280 orresizing the selected web asset, among other modifications.

At step 2326, the modified web asset or other element, or modifiedcontents of the STICKY PAD™ 310, are displayed within the STICKY PAD™.

In step 2328 a command can be received to drop the STICKY PAD™ contentsinto the website design plate and in step 2330, the STICKY PAD™ can beremoved from the user interface. At step 2332 the STICKY PAD™ contentscan be displayed in the website design plate. Finally, in step 2334additional input can be received at the user interface.

While the foregoing specification illustrates and describes thepreferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise construction herein disclosed.The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential attributes. Accordingly, reference shouldbe made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed within and by a server systemconfigured to modify and serve web pages, comprising: receiving, from afirst client device associated with a first user and via a graphicaluser interface provided by the server system, a selection of a web assetto be used in a first web page of a first web site associated with thefirst user; modifying the first web page to include the web asset;receiving, from the first client device and via the graphical userinterface, a first identification associated with a second website tocreate a first hyperlink from the first website to the second website;storing, within a computer database system of the server system,information indicating that the first identification was received;receiving, from a second client device associated with the secondwebsite, a second identification associated with the first website tocreate a second hyperlink from the second website to the first website;storing, within the computer database system, information indicatingthat the second identification was received; modifying the first websiteto include the first hyperlink to the second website based upon both theinformation indicating that the first identification was received andthe information indicating that the second identification was received;and modifying the second website to include the second hyperlink to thefirst website based upon both the information indicating that the firstidentification was received and the information indicating that thesecond identification was received; serving, in response to a web pagerequest from a third client device, the first web page to the thirdclient device, wherein the graphical user interface is configured toprovide for the selection of the web asset from at least one web assetstored locally within the first client device, and at least one webasset stored remote from the first client device, and the second websiteis associated with a second user.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second users are registered users of the server system, theserver system is configured to serve a second web page of the secondwebsite in response to a second web page request for the second webpage, and the second web page includes the second hyperlink to the firstweb site.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the server system isconfigured to store the first and second identifications, and the storedfirst and second identifications are used by the server system to:generate, in the first web page, the first hyperlink to the secondwebsite, and generate, in the second web page, the second hyperlink tothe first website.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the server systemis configured to: create, in the first web page, a reciprocal link sitefor the first hyperlink, and create, in the second web page, areciprocal link site for the second hyperlink.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first identification is received after the first website hasbeen activated.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical userinterface is configured to receive an entry associated with the firstidentification within an entry field box.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to displayidentifiers respectively associated with a plurality ofpreviously-created websites that were previously-created by other usersof the server system, and the first identification is based upon aselection, using the graphic user interface and from the plurality ofthe previously-created websites displayed within the graphical userinterface, associated with the second website.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to present respectiveselection boxes adjacent the identifiers respectively associated withthe plurality of the previously-created websites.
 9. The method of claim7, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receiveinformation supplied by the first user within at least one informationcollection field of the graphical user interface, and the server systemis configured to select the plurality of the previously-created websitesto be displayed to the first user based upon the information supplied bythe first user within the at least one information collection field ofthe graphical user interface.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theserver system is configured to identify the plurality of thepreviously-created websites based upon a receipt, by the server system,of a request generated by the graphical user interface for suggestedlinking locations for the first website.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the information supplied by the first user within the at leastone information collection field of the graphical user interface andused to select the plurality of the previously-created websites includesat least one of a group consisting of: a name of the first user, anemail address of the first user, a hobby of the first user, a businessof the first user, and an interest of the first user.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the server system is configured to select the pluralityof the previously-created websites by searching informationpreviously-supplied by the other users and stored within the serversystem, and the searching is performed by a search engine using theinformation supplied by the first user within the at least oneinformation collection field of the graphical user interface.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the server system is configured to validatethe information provided within the at least one information collectionfield of the graphical user interface.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the server system is configured to provide the first user withaccess to a third party web asset, and the third party web asset isprovided from a third party website that is independent of the serversystem.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the third party web asset isgenerated by a third party author and stored within the computerdatabase system of the server system.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the third party web asset is a functional computer program. 17.The method of claim 1, wherein the web asset includes auctionfunctionality.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the web asset includesshopping cart functionality.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein theserver system is configured to: receive, via the graphical userinterface, a search request with search criterion, cause a search to beperformed on the computer database system using the search criterion,and forward data identifying a web asset matching the search criterionto the graphical user interface.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst website of the first user includes a plurality of web pagesincluding the first web page.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein theserver system is configured to: receive email addresses ofnon-registered users from the first user, and send email messages,associated with the first user, to the email addresses of thenon-registered users.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the serversystem is configured to send email messages, associated with the firstuser, to email addresses identified by the server system frominformation supplied by the first user.
 23. The method of claim 1,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to include: a primarydisplay screen in which the web asset is displayed, and an editingplatform in a secondary display screen and configured to edit the webasset and display an edited version of the web asset.
 24. A serversystem, comprising: a hardware database system having stored therein webassets, and a hardware system configured to perform: receiving, from afirst client device associated with a first user and via a graphicaluser interface provided by the server system, a selection of a web assetto be used in a first web page of a first website associated with thefirst user; modifying the first web page to include the web asset;receiving, from the first client device and via the graphical userinterface, a first identification associated with a second website tocreate a first hyperlink from the first website to the second website;storing, within the hardware database system, information indicatingthat the first identification was received; receiving, from a secondclient device associated with the second website, a secondidentification associated with the first website to create a secondhyperlink from the second website to the first website; storing, withinthe hardware database system, information indicating that the secondidentification was received; modifying the first website to include thefirst hyperlink to the second website based upon both the informationindicating that the first identification was received and theinformation indicating that the second identification was received; andmodifying the second website to include the second hyperlink to thefirst website based upon both the information indicating that the firstidentification was received and the information indicating that thesecond identification was received; serving, in response to a web pagerequest from a third client device, the first web page to the thirdclient device, wherein the graphical user interface is configured toprovide for the selection of the web asset from at least one web assetstored locally within the first client device, and at least one webasset stored remote from the first client device, and the second websiteis associated with a second user.
 25. The server system of claim 24,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receive an entryassociated with the first identification within an entry field box. 26.The server system of claim 24, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to display identifiers respectively associated with aplurality of previously-created websites that were previously-created byother users of the server system, and the first identification is basedupon a selection, using the graphic user interface and from theplurality of the previously-created websites displayed within thegraphical user interface, associated with the second website.
 27. Theserver system of claim 26, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to present respective selection boxes adjacent theidentifiers respectively associated with the plurality of thepreviously-created websites.
 28. The server system of claim 26, whereinthe graphical user interface is configured to receive informationsupplied by the first user within at least one information collectionfield of the graphical user interface, and the hardware system isconfigured to select the plurality of the previously-created websites tobe displayed to the first user based upon the information supplied bythe first user within the at least one information collection field ofthe graphical user interface.
 29. The server system of claim 28, whereinthe hardware system is configured to identify the plurality of thepreviously-created websites based upon a receipt, by the hardwaresystem, of a request generated by the graphical user interface forsuggested linking locations for the first website.
 30. The server systemof claim 28, wherein the information supplied by the first user withinthe at least one information collection field of the graphical userinterface and used to select the plurality of the previously-createdwebsites includes at least one of a group consisting of: a name of thefirst user, an email address of the first user, a hobby of the firstuser, a business of the first user, and an interest of the first user.31. The server system of claim 28, wherein the hardware system isconfigured to select the plurality of the previously-created websites bysearching information previously-supplied by the other users and storedwithin the server system, and the searching is performed by a searchengine using the information supplied by the first user within the atleast one information collection field of the graphical user interface.32. The server system of claim 28, wherein the hardware system isconfigured to validate the information provided within the at least oneinformation collection field of the graphical user interface.
 33. Theserver system of claim 24, wherein the first website of the first userincludes a plurality of web pages including the first web page.
 34. Theserver system of claim 24, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to include: a primary display screen in which the web assetis displayed, and an editing platform in a secondary display screen andconfigured to edit the web asset and display an edited version of theweb asset.
 35. A method performed within and by a first client device,comprising: receiving a graphical user interface associated with aserver system; displaying, by the first client device, the graphicaluser interface; receiving a selection, initiated by a first user of thefirst client device, of a web asset to be used in a first web page of afirst website associated with the first user; sending, to the serversystem, the selection of the web asset; forwarding, to the server systemand via the graphical user interface, a first identification associatedwith a second website to create a first hyperlink from the first websiteto the second website, wherein the server system is configured to:modify the first web page to include the web asset, and serve, inresponse to a web page request from a third client device, the first webpage to the third client device, the graphical user interface isconfigured to provide for the selection of the web asset from at leastone web asset stored locally within the first client device, and atleast one web asset stored remote from the first client device, andinformation indicating that the first identification was received isstored, by the server system, within a computer database system of theserver system, a second identification associated with the first websiteto create a second hyperlink from the second website to the firstwebsite is received by the server system from a second client deviceassociated with the second website, information indicating that thesecond identification was received is stored, by the server system,within the computer database system, the first website is modified, bythe server system, to include the first hyperlink to the second websitebased upon both the information indicating that the first identificationwas received and the information indicating that the secondidentification was received, the second website is modified, by theserver system, to include the second hyperlink to the first websitebased upon both the information indicating that the first identificationwas received and the information indicating that the secondidentification was received, and the second website is associated with asecond user.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first and secondusers are registered users of the server system, the server system isconfigured to serve a second web page of the second website in responseto a second web page request for the second web page, and the second webpage includes the second hyperlink to the first website.
 37. The methodof claim 35, further comprising: receiving, via the graphical userinterface, an entry associated with the first identification within anentry field box.
 38. The method of claim 35, further comprising:displaying, via the graphical user interface, identifiers respectivelyassociated with a plurality of previously-created websites that werepreviously-created by other users of the server system, wherein thefirst identification is based upon a selection, using the graphic userinterface and from the plurality of the previously-created websitesdisplayed within the graphical user interface, associated with thesecond website.
 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:presenting, via the graphical user interface, respective selection boxesadjacent the identifiers respectively associated with the plurality ofthe previously-created websites.
 40. The method of claim 38, furthercomprising: receiving, via the graphical user interface, informationsupplied by the first user within at least one information collectionfield of the graphical user interface, wherein the server system isconfigured to select the plurality of the previously-created websites tobe displayed to the first user based upon the information supplied bythe first user within the at least one information collection field ofthe graphical user interface.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein theserver system is configured to identify the plurality of thepreviously-created websites based upon a receipt, by the hardwaresystem, of a request generated by the graphical user interface forsuggested linking locations for the first website.
 42. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the information supplied by the first user within theat least one information collection field of the graphical userinterface and used to select the plurality of the previously-createdwebsites includes at least one of a group consisting of: a name of thefirst user, an email address of the first user, a hobby of the firstuser, a business of the first user, and an interest of the first user.43. The method of claim 35, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to include: a primary display screen in which the web assetis displayed, and an editing platform in a secondary display screen andconfigured to edit the web asset and display an edited version of theweb asset.
 44. A computer system, comprising: a server system includinga computer database system having stored therein web assets and ahardware server system; and a first client device associated with afirst user and including computer hardware, wherein the hardware serversystem is configured to perform: receiving, from the first client deviceand via a graphical user interface, a selection of a web asset to beused in a first web page of a first website associated with the firstuser; modifying the first web page to include the web asset; serving, inresponse to a web page request from a third client device, the first webpage to the third client device, the computer hardware of the firstclient device is configured to perform: receiving, from the serversystem, the graphical user interface, displaying, by the first clientdevice, the graphical user interface, receiving, from the user of thefirst client device, the selection of the web asset; and sending, to theserver system, the selection of the web asset, the graphical userinterface is configured to provide for the selection of the web assetfrom at least one web asset stored locally within the first clientdevice, and at least one web asset stored remote from the first clientdevice, and the server system is configured to perform: receiving, fromthe first client device and via the graphical user interface, a firstidentification associated with a second website to create a firsthyperlink from the first website to the second website, storing, withinthe computer database system, information indicating that the firstidentification was received, receiving, from a second client deviceassociated with the second website, a second identification associatedwith the first website to create a second hyperlink from the secondwebsite to the first web site, storing, within the computer databasesystem, information indicating that the second identification wasreceived, modifying the first website to include the first hyperlink tothe second website based upon both the information indicating that thefirst identification was received and the information indicating thatthe second identification was received, and modifying the second website to include the second hyperlink to the first web site based uponboth the information indicating that the first identification wasreceived and the information indicating that the second identificationwas received, and the second website is associated with a second user.45. The computer system of claim 44, wherein the first and second usersare registered users of the server system, the server system isconfigured to serve a second web page of the second website in responseto a second web page request for the second web page, and the second webpage includes the second hyperlink to the first website.
 46. Thecomputer system of claim 45, wherein the server system is configured tostore the first and second identifications, and the stored first andsecond identifications are used by the server system to: generate, inthe first web page, the first hyperlink to the second website, andgenerate, in the second web page, the second hyperlink to the firstwebsite.
 47. The computer system of claim 46, wherein the server systemis configured to: create, in the first web page, a reciprocal link sitefor the first hyperlink, and create, in the second web page, areciprocal link site for the second hyperlink.
 48. The computer systemof claim 44, wherein the first identification is received after thefirst website has been activated.
 49. The computer system of claim 44,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receive an entryassociated with the first identification within an entry field box. 50.The computer system of claim 44, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to display identifiers respectively associated with aplurality of previously-created websites that were previously-created byother users of the server system, and the first identification is basedupon a selection, using the graphic user interface and from theplurality of the previously-created websites displayed within thegraphical user interface, associated with the second website.
 51. Thecomputer system of claim 50, wherein the graphical user interface isconfigured to present respective selection boxes adjacent theidentifiers respectively associated with the plurality of thepreviously-created websites.
 52. The computer system of claim 50,wherein the graphical user interface is configured to receiveinformation supplied by the first user within at least one informationcollection field of the graphical user interface, and the server systemis configured to select the plurality of the previously-created websitesto be displayed to the first user based upon the information supplied bythe first user within the at least one information collection field ofthe graphical user interface.
 53. The computer system of claim 52,wherein the server system is configured to identify the plurality of thepreviously-created websites based upon a receipt, by the server system,of a request generated by the graphical user interface for suggestedlinking locations for the first website.
 54. The computer system ofclaim 52, wherein the information supplied by the first user within theat least one information collection field of the graphical userinterface and used to select the plurality of the previously-createdwebsites includes at least one of a group consisting of: a name of thefirst user, an email address of the first user, a hobby of the firstuser, a business of the first user, and an interest of the first user.55. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the server system isconfigured to select the plurality of the previously-created websites bysearching information previously-supplied by the other users and storedwithin the server system, and the searching is performed by a searchengine using the information supplied by the first user within the atleast one information collection field of the graphical user interface.56. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the server system isconfigured to validate the information provided within the at least oneinformation collection field of the graphical user interface.
 57. Thecomputer system of claim 44, wherein the server system is configured toprovide the first user with access to a third party web asset, and thethird party web asset is provided from a third party website that isindependent of the server system.
 58. The computer system of claim 57,wherein the third party web asset is generated by a third party authorand stored within the computer database system of the server system. 59.The computer system of claim 57, wherein the third party web asset is afunctional computer program.
 60. The computer system of claim 44,wherein the web asset includes auction functionality.
 61. The computersystem of claim 44, wherein the web asset includes shopping cartfunctionality.
 62. The computer system of claim 44, wherein the serversystem is configured to: receive, via the graphical user interface, asearch request with search criterion, cause a search to be performed onthe computer database system using the search criterion, and forwarddata identifying a web asset matching the search criterion to thegraphical user interface.
 63. The computer system of claim 44, whereinthe first website of the first user includes a plurality of web pagesincluding the first web page.
 64. The computer system of claim 44,wherein the server system is configured to: receive email addresses ofnon-registered users from the first user, and send email messages,associated with the first user, to the email addresses of thenon-registered users.
 65. The computer system of claim 44, wherein theserver system is configured to send email messages, associated with thefirst user, to email addresses identified by the server system frominformation supplied by the first user.
 66. The computer system of claim44, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to include: aprimary display screen in which the web asset is displayed, and anediting platform in a secondary display screen and configured to editthe web asset and display an edited version of the web asset.